Bring What You Need

Let me just introduce this by stating that I have NEVER been a good packer. In fact, there is a very strict order which I follow when it comes to packing for trips and it goes like this:

1. Procrastinate - sometimes this means that I'm packing the afternoon before I leave... other times it means I'm up at 3 am the morning of my departure laundering items I plan to pack. 2. Over pack - "Pack for every situation" is always my motto. This is because I know myself. I know that today I will really like the way that outfit goes together but in three days I'll open my suit case and decide it doesn't match. I don't want to be stuck not matching! (I got this from my mom by the way, so shout out to you, Mom <3) 3. Decide that I didn't pack anything useful - This usually comes into play after a few days. I open my suitcase and low and behold I have packed nothing that I want. While putting together my suitcase I packed outfits that I thought were comfy that day, but aren't today; "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets" somehow snuck in as opposed to "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" which I was in the middle of reading. You would think with all of the preparation that I put in with step 2 this would be avoidable, but it happens. Every. Single. Time.

A few weeks back I received an email from Kirsten, the Country Coordinator in Madagascar, with some helpful packing tips, suggestions, and requirements. I wish that I could say I nonchalantly opened it, scanned the list, felt completely prepared, and went on with my day... but I can't. For some reason it wasn't applying for my passport, getting my typhoid vaccination, or even sending in my letter of agreement that made Madagascar seem real to me, it was this packing list. This was the concrete evidence my mind needed to be reassured, and convinced, that come August I was leaving the country for a year. It was such a rush! I scanned the packing list bullets before reading any of the paragraphs, already trying to put together what I could fit in my suitcase and what would go in my carry on. Most of it is what you would expect to see on a packing list for a year abroad, things like t-shirts, blouses, knee length skirts, sturdy footwear, an umbrella, etc. A few items caught me a little off guard and reminded me that this isn't like going to Florida for the week. Examples of this include a two prong European adapter, pocket knife, Malaria medication, etc.

What really got me thinking though was a phrase at the top of the paper "Remember who you are!" followed by a quick paragraph about bringing things that you do and closed with the directive to "Bring what you need"

Remember who you are. Bring what you need.

What is it that one might need for a year in Madagascar? What is it that I might need for a year in Madagascar? While I was dreaming about this adventure I thought of myself actually playing the guitar that I bought a few summers back, picking up the habit of running, revisiting and relearning some sign language with the help of books, actually finishing a crochet project. There were many plans that I had for this year, things that I just didn't feel motivated to do here, but might there. But is that guitar which sits in my basement with a broken string, or the crochet project I pick up once a month who I am or what I need?

I leave for Chicago in just under a week, and will be on my way to Madagascar a week after that which leaves me with a bit of time (we all know I won't being packing until the day before i leave) to contemplate these questions and to really evaluate what will be making the journey with me, and what will remain at home. I know that I won't make all of the right calls. I'll leave things at home and wish that they had been packed, and I'll pack things that will sit untouched for most of the year, and maybe that's part of what this is about - answering the questions who am I? What do I need? What makes me "me"?

Until I know more answers to these questions I leave you with a short list of things that will DEFINITELY be in my suit case come August 16th:

- "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" - My bullet journal - Water color paints - A volleyball - Letters from campers and staff

- The original The Land Before Time movie on DVD

One final note before I sign off, I have received word of my placement! Here is what I know:

"Serena Krause

Farming, teaching English, Intentional Community

Location: Vohipeno (fifth year placement site – fourth year full time)

Serena will live in an apartment on the campus of Fihaonana; an amazing farm school. Here replicable farming and animal husbandry methods are taught to students who come from all over Madagascar. The site supervisor Hoby is fun, supportive and very busy, but he along with the staff enjoy having volunteers.

Serena will have the opportunity to work the land along with other students, offer office support, teach English formally or informally, sell eggs and vegetables at the market, participate in morning devotionals, cook for herself, organize events for international visitors, and share meals with students all in a community that changes yearly.

Secondarily, she can volunteer at the local Lutheran school about 4 km away. The closest Lutheran church is quite close and they just started up a choir!

This site used to be our most remote, but with the addition of a site in Farafangana, the next closest volunteer is just a couple hours away. Typically the needs of the farm have gotten the volunteer to Farafangana (and Manakara) on a regular basis."

Peace,

Serena Rae

"I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."

-Philippians 1:3-6